EskewDumezRipple will lead its 11th annual Day of Service on January 16, 2026, to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.

If you are an organization that could benefit from free design services, read the RFP below to learn more about the program.

View the rfp here

As architects committed to the civic realm and a sustainable future, these collective firms will donate time and talent to initiatives advocating for equity in the design of the built environment. The Day of Service is an annual initiative, intended to unite design and civic leadership to address social and urban issues with the power of good design and community engagement.

About Day of Service

As part of EskewDumezRipple’s commitment to building community, the firm implements an annual, skills-based and hands on service program to support nonprofit community organizations in the New Orleans and Washington, DC areas. Inspired by the legacies of Martin Luther King, Jr. and our firm’s founder, Allen Eskew, we dedicate an entire workday by our staff to engage in community-focused initiatives. This program offers selected nonprofit organizations an opportunity to collaborate with our seasoned team in a tailored design process that is aligned with their mission.

We’re here to help your organization’s potential project, whether it’s through architecture, interior design, construction, site planning, signage, budgets, zoning, marketing, furniture, hurricane recovery, public service, or related fields. This year, we are eagerly expanding our program through partnerships with local design firms, growing our capacity to support an even greater number of organizations. This collaborative exchange promises to enrich EDR, our esteemed partner firms, and the nonprofit community alike, by fostering a deeper understanding of our city through meaningful dialogues, in-depth explorations, and tangible deliverables crafted by dedicated design professionals.

Process

1. SELECTION: Interested organizations should submit a proposal by 5 PM CT on September 5, 2025. The review committee will assess each proposal and select ones based on outlined criteria. Each project will be assigned a team of 5-10 people from EskewDumezRipple.

2. PLANNING: Team members and their organization will engage in at least two planning meetings to get to know each other, and further define project scope and deliverables. Meetings can be held virtually or in person, with suggested dates of October 20, 2025 and November 3, 2025, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM CT. An optional third meeting can be arranged for January 19, 2026.

3. DAY OF SERVICE: The Day of Service (Friday, January 16, 2026) is a workday dedicated to producing the deliverables as agreed upon during the planning meetings. Representatives from the nonprofit organizations will check in with their design team to give feedback on progress. Please have at least one in-person representative.

4. FINAL PRESENTATION & CELEBRATION: Following the Day of Service, each team will present their work to all the nonprofit organizations and participants. Final deliverables will be provided to each organization. The presentation is scheduled for January 23, 2026, from 5:00-6:30pm ET / 4:00-5:30pm CT with details to follow. Please have at least one in-person representative.

5. FOLLOW UP: Lastly, all participants will complete a brief follow-up survey to evaluate the experience and impact of the Day of Service program.

How to Apply

For detailed information and proposal submission requirements, please download and read the RFP document by clicking the button below.

View the RFP here

Please submit a brief proposal totaling 1,000 words or less that responds to each of the ‘Proposal Requirements’ listed below. Proposals are due via email by 5:00 PM CT on September 5, 2025.

Please send a PDF file via email to doscoordinator@eskewdumezripple.com with subject line “New Orleans Day of Service 2026 - Organization Name” or “DC Day of Service 2026 - Organization Name.”

Proposal Requirements

Please clearly respond to each of the following sections in order:

1) Organization information:

Name, address, and logo of your organization
Name and address of the proposed project
Name, phone number, and e-mail address of the point of contact person
501(c)3 or fiscal sponsorship status

2) Describe the work of your organization. Include a mission and/or vision statement.

3) Share insights into the diversity of your organization, and any goals related to enhancing diversity.

4) Highlight some of your organization's recent accomplishments.

5) Provide a summary of the proposed project and the identified need it addresses in your community.

Specify which ‘key services’ (see below) you intend to address with the Day of Service.
Describe the community your organization serves and how the proposed project will impact it.
Explain how the proposed project aligns with your organization's mission.

6) Describe the next steps for your project after the Day of Service work is complete.

7) Optional Information: If relevant, feel free to include additional information and images of team members, community engagement, your facility, and the proposed project location.

Key Services Definitions

Vision Package: A plan or strategy outlining the goals, design, and roadmap for a specific project or initiative, for fundraising, planning, and implementation. It can include architectural designs, layouts, cost estimates, and other elements to help understand and visualize the project.

Cost Estimate: An assessment or calculation of the expected expenses or budget required to complete a project, providing an estimate of the financial resources needed.

Zoning Analysis/Feasibility Study: An evaluation of land use regulations and zoning ordinances in a specific area, helping to determine how properties can be used and developed within legal constraints.

Design-Build: A project delivery method where both the design and physical construction are addressed, making for a more cost-effective project with improved communication during implementation.

Programming: A detailed list of all the functional requirements and spaces needed for a project. It serves as a foundational document that guides the design process, ensuring that the final product meets the specific needs of its intended users. This can include proposals for more efficient use of space to meet users' needs.

Hand-On Design: A project that involves hands-on work such as gardening, building or painting. The design team offers physical labor as well as design concept planning for the project, such as designing a mural or landscaping. The design team may also coordinate logistics and oversee execution of the project.

Master Planning: A comprehensive, long-term strategy that outlines the development, organization, and use of land within a defined area. This can serve as framework for future growth and investment.

Interior Design: A project that can include concept development, finishes, furnishings, and lighting design within a space. It involves the planning and execution of spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, ranging from early visioning concepts to detailed elements like recommended furniture selections.

Sustainability Analysis: A comprehensive assessment of a space's current sustainability features, accompanied by a proposal for enhancing its environmental performance. This may include analysis of daylighting, energy efficiency, MEP systems, and material health, aiming to improve occupant well-being, reduce environmental impact, and achieve long-term cost savings.

Previous Day of Service Project Examples

BENNETT’S VILLAGE
Site & Program Vision Package

Bennett’s Village is a multi-generational, all-abilities play space in Charlottesville, Virginia, that is an all-volunteer and community-led non-profit. Bennett’s Village worked with EDR to envision a new, public, fully-accessible restroom facility for the park that is designed to remove barriers to personal care by providing spaces for people with mobility impairments and sensory issues.

EDR worked with Bennett’s Village to create:

Vision Package
- Accessibility and Universal Design research
- Site Plans & Floor Plans
- Concept and material recommendations
- Interior and Exterior Renderings
- Cost Estimate for the Project

ALGIERS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
Vision Plan

AEDF partnered with EDR and Woodward Design Group to reimagine the DeGaulle Manor site and surrounding area as a model for equitable redevelopment in Mid-Algiers. The team developed a master plan to guide future housing, commercial, and community spaces, supported by zoning analysis, density strategies, and site-specific design recommendations.

EDR worked with the organization to create:

A Vision Plan & Visual Renderings
- Master Plan + Phasing
- Zoning and Land Use Analysis
- Housing and Parking Strategies
- Landscape + Stormwater Concepts

PEOPLE’S HOUSING+
Feasibility Study & Concept Design

People’s Housing+ seeks to address the affordable housing crisis in New Orleans by fostering an equitable resident-led city and homeownership. EDR provided 1 and 2 bedroom unit designs that are repeatable, sensitive to neighborhood context, and can fit 4 with a lot size.